St. Luke’s Seattle Reimagines Church Property for Affordable Housing
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Seattle is transforming its Ballard neighborhood property to create affordable housing, new church and ministry space, and a more sustainable future for the congregation.
The Vision: Property in Service to Mission
St. Luke’s began a discernment process around the future of its property in 2017, developing a vision rooted in beloved community, loving service, sacred space, sustainability, and the congregation’s ongoing mission.
Rather than viewing its property simply as an asset, the congregation explored how the land could better serve both St. Luke’s and its surrounding community.
The Project: Housing + New Ministry Space
The redevelopment includes 84 units of affordable family housing, along with additional workforce and market-rate housing.
The project will also create nearly 14,000 square feet of new space for St. Luke’s, providing a new home for worship, ministry, and community life.
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia will retain ownership of the land, with the new buildings operating under long-term ground leases.
Why This Matters for Congregations
St. Luke’s offers an example of how a congregation can approach church property as a tool for mission, responding to the need for housing while creating space for continued ministry and long-term sustainability.
Learn more about the St. Luke’s property development story and watch the video about the congregation’s journey.
At VEREP, we work with congregations across Virginia to explore how church property can faithfully support mission, respond to community needs, and create new possibilities for ministry. View our Resources to see how VEREP can help your congregation begin the discernment process.
